TWO children’s choirs from Stroud have released a cover of Jess Glynne’s ‘I’ll Be There’ to lift people’s spirits during lockdown.

Children aged from seven to 17 from The Minpins and the Stroud Choral Youth Choir took to the virtual stage after their last concert was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The lyrics, which are shared between 23 singers, have been altered to send a message of hope, friendship and support whilst in isolation.

“We all felt united; even though we weren’t together it felt like we were somehow connected,” said Martha Danks, 13, who closes the song.

Her brother, Hugo, 11, who sings the first line, said: “It’s making other people happy hopefully which feels good.”

Both choir groups are part of Stroud Choral Society, the second oldest choral society in the country.

Zoë Hynes, 46, who conducts the choirs, said she adapted the song to reflect the situation the children and the nation are in.

“I hope that people will get a little bit of comfort from the message that people are still there and they do look out for you and things will be okay in the end,” she said.

“It makes me proud and so happy that so many of them want to stay connected with each other and to keep on singing”.

The choirs intend to reschedule their cancelled performance of Songs for Springtime at St Laurence Church, Stroud, once the pandemic has passed.

You can find out more on Facebook @StroudChoralYouthChoir and @theminpinschoir